Design
Both the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max share their first design element through their selection of aluminum frames as their primary building material. Apple states that this material provides superior heat dissipation capabilities while Samsung developed a better manufacturing technique for processing the substance. Both materials provide users with a premium tactile experience. The iPhone 17 Pro Max displays better durability through its design when users reported that paint started chipping from the edges of their device despite using protective cases.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra maintains its predecessor’s square shape which creates an appearance of premium design through its complete design system. The iPhone 17 Pro Max presents a completely new design appearance. The new color options, including the orange version, have received mixed reviews because they fail to create the expected luxurious appearance that comes with high-end products.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max provides users with a better grip experience throughout its design. The device design incorporates strongly rounded corners together with smooth frame edges which create a comfortable grip experience for users. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, which comes with a slightly curved design, retains its original design appearance that creates discomfort for users who do not use a case. The iPhone camera module design creates fewer opportunities for users to accidentally touch it because it includes better design elements.
Users of the Galaxy S26 Ultra face increased risks of accidentally touching the 5X telephoto lens which results in them needing to clean the glass surface more often. Users can operate both phones safely because IP68 water and dust resistance protects their devices from environmental hazards while their design enables users to operate them without worrying about potential damage.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, US Version, 256GB, eSIM, Deep Blue- Unlocked (Renewed):
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, US Version, 256GB, eSIM, Cosmic Orange for AT&T (Renewed):
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, US Version, 256GB, eSIM, Cosmic Orange- Unlocked (Renewed) | eSIM, Renewed:
Performance and Software
The Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max show identical software functions in their technical aspects. Samsung developed One UI 8.5 to allow users to control their icon display by choosing both their position and their dimension which is a feature that matches iOS 26. The settings interface was also simplified, while the navigation bar for system apps was moved to a floating window. Apple’s iOS operating system now provides users with enhanced access to its features through new call recording tools and extended system customization options.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra displays two superior capabilities when compared against Apple Intelligence. First is stability. One UI 8.5 operates without major problems because its design leads to continual system operation. The iPhone 17 Pro Max experiences camera display problems which occur at random times.
AI features represent the second factor. Galaxy AI operates at a higher level than Apple Intelligence because both platforms provide Vietnam language support. The ability to create photo edits through AI technology demonstrates its value. The Galaxy S26 Ultra provides excellent editing options while iPhones only allow users to delete objects from their surroundings. The device provides users with three options to modify wallpaper which include removing objects and drawing and typing.
Both devices show excellent performance because they maintain smooth operation from basic tasks to social media activities.
The devices use two high-performance processors which include the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and the Apple A19 Pro. The test will measure temperature changes on both the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max during high-demand operations that require continuous 5G Internet access. The test will show how well both devices handle their heat dissipation needs.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max attained temperatures of 41.5°C and 40.5°C during a 15-minute video call which they conducted through a messaging app. The S26 Ultra maintained a temperature of 36°C and the iPhone stayed at 35.5°C during the 15-minute live stream. The Samsung device obtained a temperature of 36°C after 15 minutes of playing PUBG Mobile at 120 FPS while the Apple device reached a higher temperature of 38°C. Users experienced an identical interface throughout their entire testing period.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Unlocked Android Smartphone, 512GB, Privacy Display, Galaxy AI, AI Camera, Super Fast Charging 3.0, Durable Battery, 2026, US 1 Year Warranty, Black:
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Unlocked Android Smartphone, 512GB, Privacy Display, Galaxy AI, AI Camera, Super Fast Charging 3.0, Durable Battery, 2026, US 1 Year Warranty, White:
Testing determined the highest temperature which both devices reached during the evaluation.
| Time | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iPhone 17 Pro Max | |
| Messenger: Video call and messaging | 15 minutes | 41,5 °C | 40,5 °C |
| Watching TikTok livestream | 15 minutes | 36 °C | 35,5 °C |
| Playing PUBG Mobile (Smooth + 120FPS) | 15 minutes | 36 °C | 38 °C |
Camera
The iPhone 17 Pro Max camera system received its most substantial enhancement through the introduction of its 48MP telephoto sensor which enables 4X optical zoom and advanced professional video recording capabilities. The Galaxy S26 Ultra maintains its original hardware specifications without any modifications. The two devices produce almost identical image results according to my multiple assessment tests.
The main cameras of both devices produce photos which display natural colors with a slight yellow tint and provide effective contrast control during low light situations.
The differences between the two systems become clear through their performance during difficult lighting situations. The Galaxy S26 Ultra struggles to manage backlighting situations which involve photographing bright LED displays during nighttime. The images experience problems because of noise and glare which result in a hazy appearance. The specific shooting conditions show that Samsung provides noise reduction abilities which fall short of what its competitor offers.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra outperforms all competitors in zoom ability because of its two telephoto cameras. The 3X lens built into the device enables it to achieve superior color reproduction and detail rendering when compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max which depends on main camera digital zoom.
Samsung’s device maintains its ability to create bright images with even light distribution at 5X zoom while showing deep contrast and sharp details that surpass its competitor.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max demonstrates its inability to correctly process light when users select higher zoom settings, which results in text becoming unclear and environmental colors being incorrectly shown. The Galaxy S26 Ultra achieves exceptionally high sharpness because of its ability to show detailed content through AI technology.
The main cameras of both devices produce excellent image quality with abundant detail when they operate under well-lit conditions.
Both devices produce impressive results in portrait photos because they separate subjects effectively while achieving strong background blur effects. The Galaxy S26 Ultra shows better skin tone processing because its automatic white balance system has inconsistent performance, which affects both devices. The Samsung device delivers smooth, natural-looking skin, while the iPhone tends to darken skin tones. However, portrait image quality still needs further optimization.
Screen
Both the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max are equipped with large screens with ultra-thin bezels. Outdoor brightness levels reach 2,600 nits on the Samsung device and 3,000 nits on the iPhone, resulting in minimal brightness difference between the two devices. The iPhone delivers superior indoor brightness levels. The Galaxy S26 Ultra screen offers better light reflection reduction than its opponent, which enables users to view content more comfortably, despite both screens having anti-glare coatings.
The main feature that differentiates the display functionality of the Galaxy S26 Ultra from other displays is its implementation of Privacy Display technology. The system permits users to decrease screen brightness for selected banking and messaging applications while maintaining normal brightness levels for all other applications. Users of the iPhone 17 Pro Max must select between two options to achieve privacy protection on their devices. The process leads to a decrease in system brightness which affects all visual output throughout the entire interface.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra display system produces less visual impairment because it operates at normal viewing distances while maintaining excellent image quality and detailed performance. Between both devices users can enjoy excellent picture quality and detailed visuals at all standard viewing distances which satisfies their highest entertainment requirements.
Battery and Charging
The Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max both include batteries that store approximately 5000 mAh of energy. The two models exhibit similar battery performance during actual user testing. The iPhone 17 Pro Max achieved 8 hours and 50 minutes of battery life while the Galaxy S26 Ultra lasted for 8 hours and 42 minutes. The Samsung device maintained battery operation for 9 hours and 9 minutes even when Privacy Display function was active. Both devices provide sufficient battery power to support continuous use throughout an entire day.
The main distinction between these two products exists in their charging capabilities. Samsung introduced its 60W charging system this year which enables the device to reach complete battery capacity within 48 minutes. The iPhone 17 Pro Max requires 81 minutes to reach a full charge because its last 20% charging process takes particularly long. The two devices share one similarity because both of them lack a power adapter which would normally come with their packaging.
Summary of Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max provide multiple identical experiences according to this year’s comparison. The two tech companies have decreased their existing technology gap between them according to their software interfaces and camera performance and battery life and display technologies. The decision about which product to purchase now depends on the customer’s actual usage patterns and their preferred ecosystem and their unique personal tastes.
Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.
